Soft Top Fitting Question

Hi all

Just fitted a set of Exmoor trim hood sticks. Was previously a hard top which I removed. There was no seal on the top of the windscreen itself and as such the sharks tooth header rail has bolted directly to the top of the windscreen - this doesn’t seem right to me and seems an obvious point for water ingress. The fitting video has one as seen in the screen capture attached:




any ideas of a part number or where to find one? Google either produces 90 seals or the thick ones for hard top which is the front seal and guess it should be a thin rubber seal as per this video. I can’t see anything on the parts catalogue or optional equipment catalogue either!

Help as ever appreciated!

Many thanks

Can you not buy a roll of foam from Ebay the correct thickness?
Or try YRM for advice and a seal.

Anaconda said:

Can you not buy a roll of foam from Ebay the correct thickness?
Or try YRM for advice and a seal.

Click to expand...

Thanks anaconda. Useful pointers. Would a foam seal be waterproof though? I was thinking of getting some to stop my seat box cover from rattling in any event

You can get a foam/rubber type tape which is waterproof, unfortunately at this moment in time I can't remember what it's called.

Neoprene? Is your seal still stuck to your hardtop, probably why not shown on hood diagram

The instructions with my Exmoor trim hood set said to bolt the top rail to the top of the windscreen, then clamp the front of the rail with the hood hooks on to the front of the windscreen top rail and rivet it in place, the rail should already be drilled, you just need to drill through the holes into the windscreen top rail. I did this to mine with no rubber seal between the windscreen and hood rail and there have been no leaks even in the heaviest rain. If you don't rivet the hood rail down, the tension in the hood can pull it away from the windscreen causing leaks and a baggy hood at the front. I don't know if this only applies to the Exmoor Trim hood sticks or to other makes as well.

Dorset_dumpling said:

The instructions with my Exmoor trim hood set said to bolt the top rail to the top of the windscreen, then clamp the front of the rail with the hood hooks on to the front of the windscreen top rail and rivet it place, the rail should already be drilled, you just need to drill through the holes into the windscreen top rail. I did this to mine with no rubber seal between the windscreen and hood rail and there have been no leaks even in the heaviest rain. If you don't rivet the hood rail down, the tension in the hood can pull it away from the windscreen causing leaks and a baggy hood at the front. I don't know if this only applies to the Exmoor Trim hood sticks or to other makes as well.

Click to expand...

That’sa good point- I ignored the riveting point as wasnt part of their fitting instructions video. I did speak with them earlier today though and it seems to be an optional element- original was riveted but you see so many that aren’t. I think a strip of neoprene tape for extra peace of mind

Whilst I’m here…anyone fitted canvas door cards? I’m thinking self tapping screws and small pilot holes through both canvas and door frame?

ANK84 said:

That’sa good point- I ignored the riveting point as wasnt part of their fitting instructions video. I did speak with them earlier today though and it seems to be an optional element- original was riveted but you see so many that aren’t. I think a strip of neoprene tape for extra peace of mind

Click to expand...

They did suggest a bead of bathroom silicone if necessary

Something like the link.
Silicone sealer not to be used on cars, it's for bathrooms .

ANK84 said:

That’sa good point- I ignored the riveting point as wasnt part of their fitting instructions video. I did speak with them earlier today though and it seems to be an optional element- original was riveted but you see so many that aren’t. I think a strip of neoprene tape for extra peace of mind

Click to expand...

They did suggest silicone if necessary

Anaconda said:

Butyl Sealant Tape 8mm X 6 Meter High Performance Class A Certified by NFRC | eBay

Butyl Sealant Tape uses. Apply this tape directly from the reel onto one surface, and press sufficiently along its whole length to achieve a good initial adhesion. High tack providing excellent adhesion.

www.ebay.co.uk

Something like the link.
Silicone sealer not to be used on cars, it's for bathrooms .

Click to expand...

ANK84 said:

Whilst I’m here…anyone fitted canvas door cards? I’m thinking self tapping screws and small pilot holes through both canvas and door frame?

Click to expand...

Yes I have original versions top part steel bottom hardboard both self tappers

I've got a bikini hood fitted, sharks tooth directly onto the windscreen and no leaks.

Also have canvas door cards, self tappers and counter sunk washers to hold them in place.

Plenty of overlap on the soft top.